Thomas Irving 1857-1918

My great-granduncle, Thomas Irving, was a brother of the Scottish artist James Thwaite Irving. In our family we knew very little about Thomas's life, but our historian, Aunt Rosemary Mackenzie MBE, informed us that he was a gifted violinist who emigrated to Canada and became the leader of the orchestra and conductor at Montreal. Thomas's mother Mary Irving (née Thwaite) was of French Huguenot extraction; so he would probably have been fluent in French before he arrived in Quebec. 

Thomas Irving's legacy includes some fine watercolours of Scottish and Canadian landscapes that were painted towards the end of the nineteenth century. In our family, I and my siblings have inherited some of these works, and after obtaining the agreement of all parties, I use the initials of our first names to distinguish the corresponding collections:

Untitled (Landscape with a Village)
Watercolour, 17 x 27 cms, signed T. Irving and dated 84. Private Collection (W).

Untitled (Landscape with a tree)
Watercolour, signed Thoˢ Irving and dated AUG 85. Private Collection (H).
The photograph is taken through the glazing of the picture frame and there is therefore some reflection.

Untitled (Fishing Village)
Watercolour, 25 x 35.5 cms, signed T.I. and dated Sept ... (illegible), Private Collection (W).
As the buildings seem to be in stone, we think that this painting is of a Scottish village.

Westshore Pittenweem
Watercolour, 25 x 34 cms, signed T.I. and dated Sept 1886, Private Collection (F).

On the Heights of Abraham
Watercolour, signed Thos Irving and dated June 2/95. Private Collection (H).
The photograph is taken through the glazing of the picture frame and there is some reflection.

In the watercolour above, we see the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the Plains of Abraham in Quebec, and one of the Martello Towers. The viewpoint can be compared with that of "Sillery vu des plaines d'Abraham," an oil which was painted by Joseph-Charles Franchère, just ten years before, in 1885.

William Walkington
(a great-grandnephew of Thomas Irving)

Appendix

Genealogical information

Although I had examined Thomas Irving’s origins and influences while exploring his life and works, I had failed to check if he might have married and had children. A belated consultation of the website ancestry.com has since revealed a little more about Thomas’s beginnings in Scotland, but unfortunately nothing about the rest of his life, whether it was in Canada or elsewhere. Please note that the following information is extracted from genealogical trees assembled by others, and though these documents are generally coherent, they occasionally present inconsistencies. The resulting genealogical details should therefore be considered as being nearly complete, but requiring further verification.

Thomas’s father, James Irving, was born in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Scotland on the 14th March 1825. He became a bootmaker (and opened a high-class boot and shoe shop at 51 South bridge, Edinburgh). Thomas’s mother, Mary Thwaite, was born at Maxwelton [sic], Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland circa 1825. James Irving and Mary Thwaite married in Edinburgh, Midlothian, circa 1848. Census records show that the couple was living in Edinburgh Canongate, Midlothian, Scotland in 1851, and in Edinburgh St Cuthberts, Midlothian, Scotland, in 1861, 1871 and 1881. They had six children, three of whom were girls and three were boys.

Thomas Irving was born in the Parish of St Cuthberts at Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, in about 1857. Census records show that Thomas Irving was living in the Parish of St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian, in 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891.

Presumably Thomas went to Canada after the 1891 census.

Thomas’s father, James Irving, passed away on the 4th September 1895. Thomas’s mother, Mary Irving (née Thwaite), passed away on the 5th April 1896. Thomas’s parents both died in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, and are buried with their daughter Mary Thwaite at Newington Cemetery.

Additional information from Canadian Newspapers

The Montreal Daily Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) of Saturday, 17th October 1896. Page 3:

“MR. THOMAS IRVING,
VIOLINIST,
Having returned from Europe, begs to intimate to his pupils and others that he has resumed teaching at 3 VICTORIA STREET. Terms moderate.”

Daily News Advertiser (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) of Sunday 12th February 1905. Page 10:

“The Opera House.
… This programme is so excellent that it calls for little comment in advance. I would like, however, to draw the attention of my readers to a new name upon it – that of Mr. Thomas Irving – a violinist of wide experience, who purposes to settle in Vancouver and engage in teaching…”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Wednesday 11th October 1905. Page 9:

“The Ancient Order of Druids met last night, C.F. Newell in the chair. A pleasing feature of the evening’s harmony was the playing of Messrs. Kipke and Irving, the violin playing of the latter being exceptionally fine. There is some talk among the members of organizing a Druidical choir and orchestra, there being abundant talent in the lodge.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Friday 5th January 1906. Page 5:

“The Braemar Social Circle held the second dance of the season last night in Hourston’s Hall. There was a large and merry company of dancers. Thomas Irving violinist, and J. Phillips pianist supplied music in perfect time and tune.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 6th January 1906. Page 5:

“THE BRAEMAR DANCE.
The instrumental music was furnished by Thomas Irving, violinist, and J. Phillips, pianist, and was deserving of the highest commendation. Mr. Irving assisted in the programme with a violin solo, and all who have listened to this accomplished musician will not require to be told that the number was vigorously applauded.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 31st March 1906. Page 9:

“Irving’s Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Irving, violinist, has been engaged to play at the reception luncheon to Prince Arthur of Connaught on Friday of next week. The reception to the Prince will be held in the Norwood Block, the use of the Canadian Northern offices having been granted by the company for that purpose, and to which the Premier, members of the legislature and of the city council and board of trade officials will be invited. The formal reception to the Prince will be held in the Thistle Rink, when addresses from the city, the Legislature, and other public bodies will be presented.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 7th April 1906. Page 2:

“IRVING’S ORCHESTRA.
Open for Engagements, Theatre, Oratorio, Concerts, Private Parties.
All business communications to be made to Mr. Lorne York, business manager, Mr. Thomas Irving, musical director.
P.O. Box 414 - - Phone 294.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 7th April 1906. Page 4:

“Welcome to His Highness
THE BANQUET.
The luncheon yesterday afternoon in the Norwood block at which H. R. H. Prince Arthur of Connaught and party were guests of the city and provincial government was a pleasing and hospitable function. As the prince and party entered the banquet hall amid strains of the national anthem played by Irving’s orchestra their gaze met a luxuriously furnished banqueting hall, profusely decorated with flowers palms and bunting entwined with the flags of the Empire…
…There were no speeches, but at the end of the banquet, Mr. Fisher, speaker of the house, arose and proposed the health of the King. To this the orchestra played the National anthem and the assemblage joined with hearty patriotic enthusiasm in singing God Save the King. At the close the company arose and the prince conversed a few minutes with several members of the … [illegible] after which His Royal Highness and suite left for the hall amidst the strains of the National Anthem and the enthusiastic singing of the words by the loyal Britishers inside and out.
Irving’s orchestra contributed an excellently rendered programme of high class music.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Friday 3rd August 1906. Page 9:

“Thomas Irving, violinist, soloist and musical director, begs to announce that he has removed to his new music rooms on Seventh St., 3 doors south from Jasper Avenue.”

The Edmonton Daily Bulletin (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Monday 20th January 1908. Page 8:

“AT THE GRAND
The Grand theatre successly [sic] closed its first week vaudeville performance by a crowded house on Saturday night. The Grand Union orchestra, consisting of H. Woodland, piano; Thos. Irving (leader), violin; C. Histkins, cornet; and Guy Watkins, drummer; contributed several excellent selections. The pictures were good and the vaudeville entertaining. The programme for the Grand theatre this week looks like a good one. McGee and Collins will be seen in a comedy sketch, “Cancelling a Date.” Bobby Boyle and Myee Davis introduce “The Temperance Crank,” and the two Regals give a comedy sketch entitled “Fun in a Lunatic Asylum.” Then there is Herman LaFleur’s illustrated song, and some very excellent grandescope views will be shown.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Friday 10th January 1908. Page 10:

“THE SCOTS HAD MUSIC.
The Caledonian Society held a concert in the Mechanics’ Hall last evening, at which a large number of the members and their lady friends were present. A high-class programme of vocal and instrumental music was rendered. Songs by Mrs. Aitken, Messrs. Graham, McLeod, Mitchell, Lamond and Wilson; Miss G. Grant gave an exhibition of highland dancing; Mr. Tom Irving, violin; H. Esplin, mandolin; orchestra, Mrs. Neill Messrs. R. Neill, G. McKinlay and D. McKinlay. The Society’s bard, R. Anderson recited two original poems, which were highly appreciated. The Caledonian pipe band played during the evening. The evening’s enjoyment finished with a few dances. The Society intends holding these social evenings every second and fourth Thursday of each month during the winter and spring.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 31st August 1918. Page 26:

“Mr. Thomas Irving, teacher of the violin, resumes teaching at his studio on 110th street early in September.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Thursday 28th November 1918. Page 1:

“SUDDEN DEATH OF THOMAS IRVING, LOCAL VIOLINIST
Former Leader of Theatre Orchestras Died From Paralytic Stroke
Musicians all over the city will be shocked to learn of the very sudden death of Mr. Thomas Irving. Full particulars have not yet been divulged, but as far as can be learned he died from a paralytic stroke.
Mr. Irving was well known to all musicians of Edmonton, coming here in 1903. He had travelled widely and was a deeply cultured man as well as an accomplished musician. He has held at one time or another most of the responsible musical positions in the city and was leader at the Monarch theatre until quite recently.
Until last night he was supposedly in his usual health and several musical friends report that they met and spoke with him yesterday.
Before coming from Scotland Mr. Irving was leader in the Theatre Royal of Edinburgh and was associated with many famous players and musicians of the eighties and nineties. He was about fifty-five years of age and was preceded by his wife who died about ten years ago. Two grown-up daughters are left to mourn his loss. The funeral arrangements are in the hands of Andrews Bros. The musicians’ union with which the deceased has been so long associated, will take charge of the obsequies.”

Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Friday 29th November 1918. Page 3:

“FUNERAL OF LATE THOMAS IRVING
The remains of the late Thomas Irving, the well known local violinist, who died so suddenly last Thursday, will be buried in Edmonton cemetery. The funeral services will be held at his late residence, 9927 110th street, on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and he will be accorded full Masonic honors. The late Mr. Irving was a member of Jasper Lodge, No. 14, A.F. & A.M., so this fraternity will have full charge of the arrangements. Bishop Gray of Edmonton diocese will conduct the services, and as many members of affiliated fraternal lodges as are able are asked to attend. Most of the musicians of the city will also be present to pay their last respects to the deceased.”

The Morning Bulletin (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 30th November 1918. Page 3:

“FUNERAL MASONIC
The officers and members of Jasper Lodge, No. 14, A.F. & A.M., are hereby requested to attend the funeral of our late brother, Thomas Irving, on Saturday afternoon, at 3:30. Meet at residence, 9927 110th street. All Masons invited to be present.”
“EDMONTON MUSICIANS’ ASSOC’N.
Members of Local 390, A.F. of M. are asked to make every effort to attend the funeral of their fellow-member, the late Thos. Irving, which will take place on Saturday afternoon, at 3.30 p.m., from the family residence, 9927 110th street.”

The Morning Bulletin (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) of Saturday 30th November 1918. Page 13:

“Musicians of the city were very much shocked to learn of the death on Thursday morning of Thomas Irving, a very much respected and honoured citizen. Mr. Irving was a violinist of exceeding talent and will be a much missed figure at all musical affairs. He was also an artist of extraordinary talent. His pen and ink illustrations of fairy tales and other such literature were immensely clever and drew much admiration from those who saw them. Much sympathy is felt for his two daughters who survive him.”

Main conclusions drawn from Canadian newspapers and genealogical studies

The main information gleaned from the Canadian newspaper articles is as follows: When he first arrived in Canada, Thomas Irving was apparently residing and giving violin lessons at Montreal, Quebec, but probably because of the deaths of his parents, he returned to Europe before coming back in 1896. But then, after a long blank in newspaper articles, he was at Vancouver, in British Columbia in 1905, and is later reported to have arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1903, a place where he would live and play music for the 15 years that remained until his death. The Edmonton Journal article of Thursday 28th November 1918 not only states that he passed away that morning, aged about 55 years; but also confirms that he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; that he had been married; and that although his wife had passed away roughly ten years before him, he was mourned and survived by two daughters.

New elements have since been found using the website https://www.familysearch.org/: According to a Canadian Northwest Provinces Census of 1906, the daughters of Thomas Irving were both born in Scotland (Dorothy Violet in 1896 and Mary Lucy in 1898). These births, and Thomas’s marriage with Emma Maria, might help to explain the “blanks” noticed between June 1895 (the date of his watercolour of “On the Heights of Abraham”), and October 1896 (the date of his announced return to Montreal); and then between October 1896 and February 1905, when he arrived in Vancouver.

Thomas Irving’s wife, Emma Maria Atkins, was born on the 28th June 1871 at Anstruther Easter, Fife, Scotland, and died at an unknown date in Alberta, Canada. The date and place of her marriage with Thomas are unknown.

The first daughter, Dorothy Violet Irving, was born in April 1896 at Edinburgh, Scotland, and she died in 1974 (Barrhead, Whitecourt Census Division, Alberta, Canada). She married Hugh Blackwood Wallace on the 24th June 1932, at Edmonton All Saints’ pro-cathedral. Hugh was born in 1894 and died in 1985. No children are mentioned.

The second daughter, Mary Lucy Irving, was born on the 4th September 1898 in Scotland, and died on the 14th January 1993 at Harlan, Shelby, Iowa, United States. She married Martinus K. Christensen (who was born on the 4th December 1895 at Audubon, Iowa, United States, and who died on the 1st October 1977 at Harlan, Shelby, Iowa, United States). In a 1930 census the couple was living in Kimballton, Iowa, United States. No children are mentioned.

Other Information or a Missing Painting?

Although every attempt has been made to be accurate, we have no official documents about Thomas Irving's life, and some of the statements made above could therefore be erroneous. Perhaps you will have useful information that will complete the picture (no pun intended), in which case I would very much like to hear from you.

Also, as Thomas Irving probably produced several drawings and paintings during his lifetime, the examples shown above can only represent a small part of his production. Should you possess a drawing or painting that you cannot find here but you think should be on this page, please do not hesitate to contact me at william.walkington@wanadoo.fr.